If the first day of RTIV23 was spectacular, this Saturday was even better throughout the remaining 11 timed sections, where the dominance of Mads Ostberg-Patrick Barth was total, achieving all the scratches except in the super special, where Diego Domínguez-Rogelio Peñate showed their strength with the other Citroen C3 Rally2, finally finishing today in third place on the podium. In the middle of them was the first Canarian and Lanzarote team, Yeray Lemes-Aitor Cambeiro, who were the only ones to closely follow the leaders with the Hyundai i20 Rally2, until they saw that they were untouchable and slowed down to secure an excellent second place.
The RTIV23 are the ones that create fans and a lot of public followed the event in each of the five different sections chosen for this edition by the organization of the CD. Evesport, who were also praised by the visiting teams because they were selective and fun to drive.
Ostberg's high level of driving was evident in each of the sections, for his times, his lines and the pace he set, despite his limited knowledge of the terrain, declaring that he liked everything very much and that it would be a magnificent rally to prepare any WRC event. Likewise, Diego Domínguez, who thanks to the co-driving of Peñate from Gran Canaria, already had the information in advance but was equally impressed by the experience, which has also served as a great training for his commitment next week in the world event in Greece, where he is currently fighting for the WRC title.
Borja Pérez and Rubén Pérez finished in fourth position and winners of the trophy in category 1, which strengthens them at the head of the Canary Islands Rally Championship on Land. Those from Fuerteventura opted for a cautious approach that gave them results at the controls of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. With another vehicle from the Japanese firm they were followed by Javier Sosa and Javier Fragiel. A damaged shock absorber on the first pass through 'Mala-Tabayesco' caused him a significant loss of time with his predecessor.
Alejandro Rodríguez and Miguel Ángel Rodríguez confirmed their status as a revelation team with a sixth place. The Lanzagrava team, in their debut with a Ford Fiesta Rally3 and also in the land rally mode, managed to recover from a costly puncture in the special that opened the second day, that of 'Yaiza' and at the same time won in category 2.
The drivers from Gran Canaria, Francisco Álamo and Juan Francisco Arencibia, placed their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII in seventh place, one ahead of the Can-Am Maverick Turbo RR of the Dakar drivers Pedro Peñate and Luis Hernández, who also took the Ciudad de Arrecife Trophy.
The victory in the 2 Wheel Drive section went to the Seat Ibiza Cupra of Antonio M. Calderín and Juan M. Santana, winners of the FCA Junior Trophy. Rayco Rodríguez and Christopher Rijo had finished the final section ahead, but they failed to enter the closed park and were disqualified after losing the hub and the left rear wheel.
In the chapter of abandonments, in addition to that of Quintana and Mujica on the second pass through 'Puerto del Carmen', note those of Esteban Feo-Jesús Alonso (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII) due to a road exit in TC-8, Iván Marrero-Claudia Lemes (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) due to an oil leak in TC-11 and that of Cristian Calderín-Verónica Tejera (Volkswagen Golf GTI) in the link towards TC-1, due to a loose driveshaft.
Category 3 was won by Luzmi Santana with Ari Bonilla as co-driver in the Skoda Fabia N3, while the Silver Trophy would be for the veteran Juan José de la Cruz, co-driven by his daughter Nereida in the Mazda 323 GTR.